Association of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A(2) and endothelial function in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA)

Vasc Med. 2011 Aug;16(4):247-52. doi: 10.1177/1358863X11411360. Epub 2011 Jun 27.

Abstract

Mechanisms underlying the role of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A(2) (Lp-PLA(2)) in atherosclerotic development are not completely understood. We evaluated the relationship of Lp-PLA(2) with endothelial dysfunction, an early manifestation of atherosclerosis, in a cohort without known clinical cardiovascular disease. A total of 2809 participants in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis underwent plasma Lp-PLA(2) mass and activity measurement and brachial artery flow-mediated vasodilation testing. In adjusted linear regression models, higher Lp-PLA(2) mass and activity levels were not associated with lower endothelial function (-0.04%, p = 0.51 and -0.09%, p = 0.10, respectively). Among individuals with subclinical atherosclerosis based on ankle-brachial index (ABI) or carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), Lp-PLA(2) mass and activity were not associated with lower endothelial function (-0.03%, p = 0.88 and -0.31%, p = 0.16 for ABI < 1.00; 0.01%, p = 0.94 and -0.15%, p = 0.20 for abnormal carotid IMT). In summary, Lp-PLA(2) is not associated with endothelial dysfunction, suggesting its role in atherosclerosis development is primarily related to other factors.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • 1-Alkyl-2-acetylglycerophosphocholine Esterase / blood*
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Ankle Brachial Index
  • Atherosclerosis / diagnosis
  • Atherosclerosis / enzymology*
  • Atherosclerosis / ethnology
  • Atherosclerosis / physiopathology*
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Brachial Artery / diagnostic imaging
  • Brachial Artery / physiopathology*
  • Carotid Arteries / diagnostic imaging
  • Endothelium, Vascular / diagnostic imaging
  • Endothelium, Vascular / physiopathology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunoenzyme Techniques
  • Linear Models
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Phospholipases A2 / blood*
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Prospective Studies
  • Radiometry
  • Risk Assessment
  • Risk Factors
  • Ultrasonography
  • United States / epidemiology
  • Vasodilation*

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Phospholipases A2
  • 1-Alkyl-2-acetylglycerophosphocholine Esterase
  • PLA2G7 protein, human